Sanitary hair-combing device



Nov. 24, 1942. D. G. vAzov SANITARY HAIR-COMBING DEVICE Filed Nov. 3, 1941 lNvENToR D1M1TR1 EEUREIEVVAZUV.

' ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 24, 1942 SANITARY HAIR-COMIBING DEVICE Dimitri Georgiev Vazov, Sofia, Bulgaria; vested in the Alien Property Custodian Application November 3, 1941, Serial No. 417,598

10 Claims.

The present invention relates to a sanitary hair-combing device, and has for an object to provide improved means whereby a sanitary haircombing procedure may be conveniently carried out.

This sanitary hair-combing procedure consists in combing into the teeth of the comb, prior to combing the hair, a strip of massed fibrous material, as for instance raw cotton fibers, wherein the fibers of the cotton are arranged in substantially parallel relation to the teeth of the comb, and are engaged as a layer in the tooth spaces at the base of the teeth with the fibers extending at each side of the comb, so that in moving the comb through the hair the bers will not become dislodged from the comb, and

dirt, grease, dandrui, and other foreign matter in the hair are deposited in the strip of the brous material, and are thus prevented from becoming lodged between the comb teeth and being combed back into the hair. The strip of brous mateing it outwardly from the base of the teeth toward the points, carrying with it all foreign matter removed from the hair, and through the disengaging movement from the comb wiping land cleansing the surfaces of the teeth. Upon removal of the strip of brous material containing the removed foreign matter it is suitably disposed of. As a consequence, the comb will always remain clean, and will not become contaminated or infected through deposits of dirt and other matter remaining thereon. In carrying out the hygienic purpose of this procedure the cotton or other brous materials may if desired be treated With a suitable medicant.

It is proposed according to the invention to provide a device, preferably in the form of a comb-containing packet, which may be conveniently carried in the pocket, |and including receptacle means in which the strip or bat of fibrous cotton or other similar material may be carried and progressively fed into place as it is consumed, and which may be readily renewed by means of a rell element. It is proposed in this connection to provide convenient rell elements which may be supplied in quantity.

It is a further object to provide such a device having means for supporting and gripping the brous material, s that it may be conveniently combed into the spaces between the comb teeth; preliminary to combing the hair, such means preferably consisting of a flexible flap-like supporting base engaged beneath an end portion of the strip of fibrous material, and a toothed rial is thereupon removed from the comb by movclamping member for pressing and holding the brous material in spaced relation to its end against said base, so that by manipulating the comb teeth through and toward the end of the strip of fibrous material in a direction parallel to the teeth and to the direction 'of the fibers a strip of the brous material will be picked up by the comb teeth and packed into the bases of the tooth spaces.

While the invention is adapted for use with all types of combs, it is especially advantageous in the use of ne tooth combs, which heretofore have been extremely unsanitary, due to the fact that the closeness 'of the teeth make it practically impossible to prevent lodgement of dirt and other matter between them. Cleaning means heretofore in use have consisted of cord devices, wire rakes, and other such means which are manipulated between the teeth and which are not only ineffective in removing dirt, but are in themselves extremely unsanitary as the dirt removed from the comb remains in such devices and cannot be effectually removed by washing. vWhile the device of the invention is adaptable for general use as a'personal dressing table or pocket accessory, it will be found to be of special advantage as an accessory for soldiers, factory and field workers, and other groups where men live under crowded conditions and in an environment which is conducive to contamination and infection.

With the above and other objects in` view an embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawing, and this embodiment will be hereinafter more fully described with reference thereto, and the invention will be finally pointed out in the claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing |a packet device according to the invention in its closed position.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the inner side of the packet device, showing it completely unfolded into at relation, to illustrate constructional fea; tures thereof.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the device in an open position.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing several cotton fiber refill elements, and also showing the supporting member of the packet adapted to be engaged with one of the refill members preparatory 'to inserting it in the packet. l

- Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view, taken along the line 5 5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section view, taken along the line 6--5 of Fig. l.

Referring to the drawing, the packet device,

according to the exemplary illustrated embodiment of the invention, contains the comb as a combination part of the device, and is of a suitable size to be conveniently carried in a pocket, pocketbook, travelling case or the like, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to this particular form or type of device, but ,may be embodied in various other arrangements in order to carry out the essential features of the invention. According to the illustrated embodiment the packet device consists of a main body portion formed of suitable sheet material, as for instance leather, suitably treated paper material, woven fabric, or the like, and which is conveniently cut from a single piece consisting of a cover flap portion Hl having a projecting tongue portion Il as its end, a back portion l2, l.

having along its longitudinal edges fiap portions I3-l'3 adapted to be folded in upon the inner side as shown in Fig. 2 to form a retaining means for the fibrous material strip element presently to be more fully described, and` a front portion I4, also having ap portions 45--55 along its longitudinal edges, adapted to be folded upon the inner side for the attachment thereto of a gripping member, presently to be more fully described. The front portion is provided with a cut-out opening i6 extending downwardly from its upper edge and spaced inwardly from its side edges, this opening adapted to be covered by the flap in the closed position, with the tongue Il inserted through the opening beneath the front to retain the cover.

Within the pocket formed by the back l2 and the folded-over flaps l3-|3, there is engaged a rectangular baseboard member l?, which may be formed of heavy fiexible fiber beard, thin flexible metal, or other suitable material so that its upper end portion which extends above the upper ends of the aps I3-l3 to support the end portion cf the fibrous material during the cooperation of the comb therewith provides a smooth hard surface beneath the fibrous material which is adapted to flex slightly as the comb is pressed into engagement therewith.

The front portion M has engaged with it a gripping member I8 in the form of a rectangular metal plate secured to the folded over flaps l-I 5 by means of lugs I9, integrally formed along the side edges of the plate, engaged through slots 29 in the naps, and bent over into securing relation upon the surface of the fiaps. The gripping member projects beyond the upper end of the front portion I4 and is curved toward the backing member l?, so that its edge may be pressed into gripping relation with the fibrous material supported upon the backing element by exerting pressure between the front and the back of the packet, the gripping edge being provided with a series of teeth 2l. In assembling the plate I 3, the front portion i4 .is spaced from the front surface of the member i8 so as to provide a comb receiving pocket in which the comb 22 may be conveniently inserted as shown clearly in Fig. 3.

The fibrous material element consists of a bat or strip 23 of raw cotton or similar material, of flat rectangular form, and in which the fibers are arranged by carding or other suitable methods longitudinally of the strip, so that they are substantially parallel to the comb teeth and the direction of combing, in the operation of engaging the brous material with the comb teeth, as will presently more fully appear. The strip of material 23 is enclosed in a cover 24, preferably consisting of a strip of protective paper, such for instance as paraffin paper, and which extends along the underside, around one end and along the upper side, the side edges and one end of the fibrous strip being exposed. These elements may be supplied in quantity as refills separately from the packet device, and may be conveniently supplied in suitable sealed envelopes.

In order to engage one of the fibrous strip elements with the packet the baseboard backing member Il is removed from the packet and is inserted between the under portion of the cover strip 24 and the undersurface of the fibrous strip element 23, being thereupon slipped into the packet beneath the iiaps |3--l 3, as shown clearly in Fig. 5. By pressing the clamping member 8 to engage its teeth tightly against the end portion of the fibrous strip and its paper covering, the end of the paper covering may be torn off along the toothed edge 2l to exp-ose the end of the fibrous material overlying the backing member Il, whereupon the device is operative for the carrying out of the improved haircombing method.

In operation, the packet is gripped in one hand as shown in Fig. 7 to press the clamping member I8 tightly against the projected end of the fibrous material supported upon the end of the backing member l1, and the comb which is held in K the other hand is moved back and forth so that the comb teeth are combed through the exposed end portion of the fibrous material toward the upper edge of the backing member l l, the curvature of the gripping member I8 and the flexibility of the backing member l1 permitting this operation to be carried out with facility. Through this combing operation a quantity of the fibers are picked up by the comb teeth and arranged at the bases of the teeth as a continuous strip or body of the fibrous material, with the fibers extending in arched relation at each side toward the comb back as shown clearly in Fig. 8. The comb is thereupon used in the same manner as an ordinary comb in combing the hair, the arrangement of the fibrous material permitting this combing operation without loss of the fibers from the comb. As the hair is combed, any dirt, dandruff, grease or other foreign matter in the hair becomes deposited upon the fibrous strip without being allowed to lodge in the bases of the teeth, and the consistency of the fibrous material is such that this foreign matter is held by the fibers and will therefore not be combed back into the hair and will not fal1 upon the clothing. Upon completion of the combing operation the whole fibrous strip is moved outwardly from the comb tee-th preferably by an outward movement of the thumb and forefinger engaged respectively at each side of the comb, this operation causing the strip to fold upon itself and to entrap and retain the dirt and other matter removed from the hair so that none of this remains upon the comb teeth. Also during the 'disengaging movement of the fibrous material the entire side surfaces of the comb teeth are wiped by the fibrous material, thus removing any moisture, grease, or dirt that may have been disposedv upon the tooth surfaces. The removed strip,` as shown in Fig. 9, may be disposed of in any suitable sanitary manner, as for instance, by incineration. By treating the fibrous material with a suitable antiseptic or medicant, the 'invention may be used in the treatment of diseased conditions of the hair.

When the exposed end of fibrous material becomes exhausted through several combing operations it is renewed by feeding the strip upwardly so as to bring a new end portion into place above the clamping teeth 2|,

The invention may be used for other purposes than combing human hair, as for instance, the combing of dogs and cats, the cleaning of furs and-hair-like fabrics, etc.

I have illustrated and described a preferred and satisfactory embodiment of the invention, but it will be understood that changes may be made therein, within the spirit and scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. For use as a sanitary hair-combing accessory, a holder for fibrous material adapted to be combed into the teeth of a comb, comprising supporting base means for the fibrous material and gripping means having a rigid gripping edge portion curved toward said base means.

2. For use as a sanitary hair-combing accessory, a holder for fibrous material adapted to be combed into the teeth of a comb, comprising supporting base means for the fibrous material, and gripping means having a toothed gripping edge portion adapted to press the fibrous material against said base means.

3. For use as a sanitary hair-combing accessory, a holder for fibrous material adapted to be combed into the teeth of a comb, comprising supporting base means for the fibrous material, gripping means having a transverse gripping edge portion adapted to press the material againsty that base, and a fibrous material element consisting of a strip of fibrous material engaged upon said base means beneath said gripping means having the fibers arranged longitudinally of the strip and substantially at right angles to said transverse gripping edge portion of said gripping means.

4. For use as a sanitary hair-combing accessory, a holder for fibrous material adapted to be combed into the teeth of a comb. comprising supporting base means for the fibrous material, gripping means having a transverse gripping edge portion adapted to press the fibrous material against said base, and a fibrous material element consisting of a strip of fibrous material engaged upon said base means beneath said gripping means having the fibers arranged longitudinally of the strip and substantially at right angles to said transverse gripping edge portion of said gripping means, and a covering for said fibrous material engaged around its upper and lower surfaces and its bottom edge.

5. For use as a sanitary hair-combing accessory, a holder for fibrous material adapted to be combed into the teeth of a comb, comprising supporting base means for the fibrous material, oonsisting of a rectangular fiat board member removable from said holder, a gripping means having a transverse gripping edge portion spaced from the top edge of said board member adapted to press the fibrous material against said board member, and a fibrous material element consisting of a strip of fibrous material engaged upon said board member beneath said grip-ping means having the fibers arranged longitudinally of the strip and substantially at right angles to vsaid transverse gripping edge portion of said gripping means, and a covering for said fibrous material engaged beneath said board member extending around its bottom edge and engaged over said fibrous material; f

6. A sanitary hair-combing device comprising a packet including a comb receiving pocket portion, a comb removably engaged in said pocket portion, a fibrous material holder comprising supporting base means for a layer of fibrous material having substantially longitudinally arranged fibers` and'gripping means having a transverse gripping edge adapted to press said fibrous material against said base means in position to be picked up by the comb teeth.

7. For use in a sanitary hair-combing accessory including a holder for fibrous material adapted to be combed into the teeth of a comb, and comprising supporting base means for the fibrous material and gripping means having a transverse gripping portion adapted to press the material against said base, a fibrous material element consisting of a strip of fibrous material having the fibers arranged longitudinally of the strip and adapted to be engaged in said holder substantially at right angles to said transverse gripping portion of said gripping means.

8. For use in a sanitary hair-combing accessory including a holder for fibrous material adapted to be combed into the teeth of a comb, and comprising supporting base means for the fibrous material and gripping means having a transverse gripping portion adapted to press the material against said base, a fibrous material element consisting of a strip of fibrous material having the fibers arranged longitudinally of the strip and adapted to be engaged in said holder substantially at right angles to said transverse gripping portion of said gripping means, and a covering for said fibrous material engaged around its upper and lower surfaces and its bottom edge.

9. For use as a sanitary hair combing accessory, a holder for fibrous material adapted to be combed into the teeth of a comb, comprising a fibrous material gripping member having at one end a transversely extending material gripping edge, a fibrous material supporting and gripping base member for cooperation with said gripping member disposed beneath said gripping member to retain a layer of fibrous material having substantially longitudinally arranged fibers between said base member and said gripping member and to grippingly engage said fibrous material between said gripping edge of said gripping member and said base member through pressing said gripping edge toward said base member, said base member projecting longitudinally beyond said gripping edge and providing a supporting surface for a portion of said layer of fibrous material projecting longitudinally beyond said gripping edge which projecting portion of fibrous material is exposed at its upper side, whereby it is in position to have the teeth of a comb engaged therewith through movement of said comb in a direction at right angles to and away from said gripping edge enabling the comb to pick up fibers of said exposed portion of said fibrous material between its teeth, while the layer of fibrous material between said gripping member and said base is retained through the gripping action of said gripping edge against said base member.

l0, For use as a sanitary hair combing accersory, a holder for brous material adapted to be combed into the teeth of a comb, comprising a brous material gripping member having at one end a transversely extending rigid material gripping edge, a brous material supporting and gripping base member for cooperation with said gripping member disposed beneath said gripping member to retain a layer of fibrous material having substantially longitudinally arranged bers between said base member and said gripping member and to grippingly engage said fibrous material between said gripping edge of said gripping member and said base member through pressing said gripping edge toward said base member, said base member including a ilexible end portion projecting longitudinally beyond said gripping edge and provided with a transverse end edge longitudinally spaced from and substantially parallel to said rigid gripping edge and providing a supporting surface for a portion of said layer of brous material projecting longitudinally beyond said gripping edge which projecting portion of fibrous material is exposed at its upper side, whereby it is in position to have the teeth of a comb engaged therewith through movement of said comb in a direction at right angles to and away from said gripping edge toward said end I edge of said base member enabling the comb to pick up fibers of said exposed portion of said fibrous material between its teeth, while the `layer of fibrous material between said gripping member and said base is retained through the gripping action of said gripping edge against said base member.

DIMITRI GEORGIEV VAZOV. 

